Softball in district tourney

The Oran High School softball team ended it's season yesterday during the championship of the Class 1 District 4 tournament with a heart-breaking 7-6 loss to top seeded Scott City.  The number two seed Eagles had lost to the Rams in the season opener after a walk off 3 run homer and today, once again, it would be the long ball that was costly.

Oran scored first by plating 3 in the top of the opening inning, as they combined four singles an error and a steal of home to take the early lead.

But, Scott City would score the next six runs with three in the 3rd, two in the fourth and 1 in the fifth to take a 6-3 lead into the sixth inning.

The Rams used a 3-run homer in the 3rd inning and a 2-run shot in the fourth as they took they made their comeback.  It was a lead-off walk that would come around to score on a two out single in the 5th.

The Eagles cut the deficit to one in the top of the sixth, thanks to a two-out 2 RBI double by Brianna Stause.

But the third home run of the day during the bottom of the frame gave Scott City what proved to be an insurmountable lead, 7-5.

Oran tried to rally in the top of the 7th, as Tatum May stroked a one out double to left, moved to third on Jessie Long's infield single and scored on Claire Ramsey's RBI ground out.  Long was stranded at second, however, as the game ended 7-6.

After the game, Assistant Coach Susan Dirnberger told the blog, "We came up just short. Wow, what a way to go out!"

Long was 3-4 at the plate. Sydney Kern and Ramsey were both 2-4.  Ramsey, May and Stause each had doubles, the only extra base hits for the Eagles.

May went the first 4 innings and suffered the loss.  She allowed 8 hits, 5 runs (4 earned) walked 3 and struck out 2. Kenzie Graviett tossed the final 2 frames, allowing 2 runs, both earned on 3 hits, 1 walk and 1 strike out.

Oran finished with a record of 10-7 after on 0-3 start.

It was the final contest for the two seniors May and Hannah Scherer.

What the professional said:  semoball.com  photo gallery

Tuesday's Game:

The Eagles opened their inaugural spring season softball district tournament against the #3 seed Leopold Wildcats.

Oran had defeated Leopold in a 10-0 5 inning rout two weeks earlier but on Tuesday Leopold took an early 1-0 lead.   The Eagles, however,  scored 2 in the bottom of the 1st and four more in the 2nd to take control and went on for the 7-3 victory.

Graviett went the distance in the circle allowing 3 runs, only 1 earned, on 6 hits.  She walked 2 and struck out 6.

Leah Cauble had a double and a triple in 4 at bats.  Ramsey had 2 doubles in 2 trips  Scherer was 2 of 3.  Sydney Kern added a double, also.

Dirnberger said, "We won  - but made some mistakes that could have changed the outcome of the game.  We hit the ball fairly well.  Not our best game but we'll take the win."

What the professionals said:  semoball.com  photo gallery